#88 - Build

One of Us

Segment Notes: This is written with the prompt Bonding With Your Biker Gang for July 31st at 5Ds Month. I had also wanted to write for Kalin's day yesterday but didn't have the chance. It was a pretty simple idea for his ficlet, though, so I included it as a flashback in this story. Unlike all the prior short stories, this one takes place soon after the Crash Town arc. The festival was used in role-plays with Amber2002161 and XenoEmblemFTW, and I used it as the epilogue of May You Find Some Comfort Here, but now I honestly don't remember whose idea the festival was. If I didn't think of it myself, it must have been Amber's idea, since that role-play version of it came first.

Kalin was deep in thought as he walked down the main street of Crash Town. It was a pleasant night and he had much on his mind. The townspeople were friendly and greeted him as they passed, and he smiled and greeted them in turn. Several stopped to ask about Radley and he was happy to tell them that all was well.

It really was, too. Radley was recovering peacefully at home from the torture he had endured in the mines. After being on the mend for weeks, he was almost all better now. Kalin had slipped out for a quick walk while Radley had dozed for a nap.

The difference in how they interacted now versus before Kalin's mind was clear was like day and night. They had bonded so easily and sweetly now that Kalin understood Radley was kind and Radley realized Kalin had not been mentally well when he had treated Radley poorly. Kalin had moved in to help Radley as he healed, and they had both found that they liked the arrangement. Neither liked being alone. Kalin didn't really want to leave, and from the way Radley had looked at him and told him so sincerely how much he enjoyed having a roommate, Radley didn't want him to either.

Helping Radley wasn't too difficult, and a lot of times they found themselves just relaxing and talking. They had learned a lot about each other lately, not just their pasts, but other things about their personalities. Earlier that day, they had talked about motorcycles.

"You ever tried Turbo Dueling, Kalin?" Radley asked. He laughed. "It's funny, but even though we supply the dyne industry, we don't really do the Turbo Duel thing. We're more old-school around here."

Kalin averted his gaze. "As a Dark Signer, I was given a Duel Runner. I called it Giganto L. Those duels against Yusei . . . those were the only times I Turbo Dueled."

Radley sobered. "That was thoughtless of me. I should have realized."

"It's fine," Kalin assured him. ". . . I don't even know what happened to the Dark Signers' Duel Runners after we were beaten. Maybe they were conjured by dark magic and no longer exist."

"If you could find yours, would you want it back?" Radley wondered.

Kalin shook his head. "I don't think so. There are only bad memories attached to it. I would rather have the motorcycle you gave me."

Radley smiled, touched. "Yeah?"

"Definitely," Kalin said.

Kalin wasn't sure, however, what his feelings were on Turbo Dueling in general. It would be nice to have a pleasant duel with no horrific strings attached. Maybe someday he could look into modifying his motorcycle into a Duel Runner. Maybe. For now he was satisfied to keep it as it was.

Somehow he found himself walking to the diner. The lights were all on; the Bunch were likely having a few sodas before coming over for dinner, as they did most nights.

Kalin had started to grow close to them lately too. They had wanted to help with Radley's recovery and he had been grateful for the assistance. He had also been surprised that they hadn't outright despised him for the past, but there had never been a good time to ask them Why. Pondering to himself, he headed inside.

Scotch looked up as Kalin walked into the diner and sat down at the nearest table. "Hey, Kalin!" he greeted, and immediately held out a bottle of soda pop.

Kalin took it in some surprise. "There's something I've wanted to ask. Why are you so friendly after everything I did?" he wondered. "I hurt Radley so much when I kept rejecting him. . . ."

"Are you kidding?!" Scotch exclaimed. "It's because of you that Radley's alive!"

"If it hadn't been for me, he wouldn't have been in that situation in the first place," Kalin sighed. He opened the bottle and took a drink. "Yusei and I just abandoned him in the mine."

Scotch looked down. "We all have to share the blame on that, though," he said quietly. "We all abandoned him, so how can we come down on you for that? At least you revived him."

Kalin slowly nodded. He supposed that made sense.

"We wanna do something special," Biff said. "The town's almost fixed now. We wanna have a big festival and a concert!"

"Radley would like that," Kalin said. He finally smiled a bit. "I would too."

"What's it like living with him?" Scotch wondered. "It must be amazing."

"It's nice," Kalin admitted. "Now that we understand each other, we get along extremely well." He couldn't keep the surprise out of his voice.

Scotch beamed. "Radley always knew you could be friends."

The rest of the Bunch nodded in agreement.

"I'm glad I finally know it too," Kalin said. "But I . . ." He hesitated, struggling with his words. "I still want to say how sorry I am for what I did in the past and how I wouldn't accept any of you as friends."

"Okay," Scotch said. "But it's all cool. We were more upset about how you treated Radley anyway. And that's all fixed now!"

"That's it?" Kalin said, still in disbelief. "I'm one of you now?"

"You've been one of us ever since Radley wanted you to join us," Clint said. "It's just that now you're finally ready to accept that!"

". . . So what Radley wants, you guys want?" Kalin looked skeptical. "Don't you have any opinions of your own?"

Virgil snorted. "Of course we do! You know how we got more and more mad as time went on and you kept treating Radley like a jerk. We would've thrown you out if we hadn't wanted to respect Radley's wishes. But honestly, you didn't deserve to be one of us back then."

Kalin looked down at the soda bottle. "No, I didn't."

Virgil sighed and looked away. ". . . But Scotch is right. After what we all did to Radley, none of us deserve to be in the Bunch."

"And he forgave all of us like he did you," Billy said. "And you saved his life." He also looked away, but not before Kalin saw what looked like tears forming in his eyes. "Unlike some of us, who left him to die."

"So the point is, sure, we have our own feelings, but on this we're all agreed," Marty said. "You should have another chance. You've completely changed for the better."

Scotch nodded. "So have a drink with us and then we'll all go see Radley!"

The door opened. "You won't have to go far."

Everyone jumped. "Radley!" Scotch exclaimed. He ran over to hug their friend.

Kalin looked at him in amazement. "You walked all the way here?!"

Radley laughed and hugged Scotch close. "I told you I was getting better," he said. "It was a nice night for a walk." He went over to the table where Kalin and Scotch and Biff had been sitting and sank down next to Kalin. "And a great night to be back in the diner with all of my family."

Kalin smiled. "You're sure you didn't strain yourself?"

"Nah, I'm fine!" Radley insisted.

Biff grinned, handing him another bottle. "Here's cactus cider, chilled just like you like it!"

"Thanks!" Radley opened it and poured a glass. "Let's have a toast, shall we? Cheesy, maybe, but to all of us and our friendships forever."

"Yeah!" Scotch whooped.

"You too, Kalin," Radley said, looking to him.

Kalin smiled. "I know. I'm one of you now, and I like it. And I want it to be forever." He held up his soda bottle to join the others' bottles and glasses sparkling under the diner's lights.

It was a beautiful sight.